Contents
Instrument cluster ............................. 138
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 138
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 139
Resetting trip odometer ............... 139
Tachometer .................................. 139
Outside temperature indicator ..... 140
Control system .................................. 141
Multifunction display .................... 141
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 142
Menus .......................................... 144
Standard display menu ................ 147
AMG menu ................................... 147
AUDIO menu ................................ 150
NAV* menu .................................. 152
Distronic* menu........................... 153
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 153
Settings menu .............................. 154
Trip computer menu..................... 167
TEL* menu ................................... 168Automatic transmission...................... 171
Gear selector lever........................ 171
Shifting procedure ........................ 172
Gear selector lever positions ........ 173
Driving tips.................................... 175
Gear ranges .................................. 176
Automatic shift program ............... 177
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 178
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 179
Manual shift program
CLS 63 AMG ................................. 181
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 184
Good visibility ..................................... 185
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 185
Rear view mirrors .......................... 185
Sun visors ..................................... 187
Rear window sunshade* ............... 188
Rear window defroster .................. 1894-zone automatic climate control ....... 190
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 195
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 196
Setting the temperature ............... 197
Adjusting air distribution .............. 197
Adjusting air volume ..................... 198
Front defroster ............................. 199
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
(USA only) ..................................... 200
Air recirculation mode .................. 200
Air conditioning ............................ 203
Residual heat and ventilation
(Canada only)................................ 203
Rear climate control ..................... 204
Front center console
storage compartment ventilation.. 206
Power windows .................................. 207
Opening and closing
the windows ................................. 207
Synchronizing power windows ...... 209
Summer opening feature .............. 210
Convenience closing feature......... 210
ContentsPower tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 212
Opening and closing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 212
Synchronizing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 214
Driving systems ................................. 215
Cruise control............................... 215
Distronic*..................................... 218
Airmatic DC (Dual Control) ........... 231
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 235
Loading .............................................. 239
Roof rack* .................................... 239
Loading instructions ..................... 239
Ski bag* (Canada only)................. 240
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Retaining hooks............................ 243Useful features .................................. 244
Storage compartments ................ 244
Cup holders.................................. 247
Ashtrays ....................................... 249
Cigarette lighter ........................... 250
Power outlets ............................... 251
Heated steering wheel
(Canada only) ............................... 252
Floormats ..................................... 253
Telephone* .................................. 254
Tele Aid ........................................ 257
Garage door opener ..................... 263
Operation......................................... 269
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 270
Driving instructions ........................... 271
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 271
Drinking and driving ..................... 271
Pedals .......................................... 271
Power assistance ......................... 272
Brakes.......................................... 272
Driving off .................................... 274
Parking......................................... 275
Tires ............................................. 275
Hydroplaning................................ 276
Tire traction ................................. 276
Tire speed rating .......................... 277
Winter driving instructions ........... 278
Standing water............................. 279
Passenger compartment .............. 280
Driving abroad ............................. 280
Control and operation of
radio transmitter .......................... 280
Catalytic converter....................... 281
Emission control .......................... 281
Coolant temperature.................... 282
Contents
At the gas station .............................. 283
Refueling ...................................... 283
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 285
Engine compartment ......................... 286
Hood ............................................ 286
Engine oil ..................................... 287
Transmission fluid level ................ 289
Coolant level ................................ 290
Battery ......................................... 291
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 292
Tires and wheels ................................ 293
Important guidelines .................... 293
Tire care and maintenance........... 294
Direction of rotation ..................... 295
Loading the vehicle ...................... 296
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 301
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 302
MOExtended system* .................. 313
Tire labeling.................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. 318
Maximum tire load ........................ 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 320
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards (U.S. vehicles). 320
Tire ply material ............................ 322
Tire and loading terminology......... 323
Rotating tires ................................ 326
Winter driving ..................................... 327
Winter tires ................................... 327
Block heater* (Canada only) ......... 328
Snow chains.................................. 328
Maintenance....................................... 329
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 329
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 331
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 331
Vehicle care........................................ 332
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 332
Practical hints.................................. 341
What to do if … ................................... 342
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 342
Lamp in center console ................ 353
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 356
Where will I find...? ............................. 391
First aid kit.................................... 391
Spare wheel .................................. 391
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 393
Luggage box ................................. 395
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 396
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 396
Locking the vehicle ....................... 397
Fuel filler flap emergency release . 398
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 398
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 400
Power tilt/sliding sunroof ............. 400
Resetting activated head restraints.... 401
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 402
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* ............................... 402
ContentsReplacing bulbs ................................. 404
Bulbs ............................................ 404
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 407
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 409
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 410
Wiper blades ................................ 410
Flat tire .............................................. 412
Preparing the vehicle.................... 412
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
MOExtended system*................... 419
Battery ............................................... 420
Disconnecting the battery ............ 421
Removing the battery ................... 421
Charging and reinstalling
the battery.................................... 422
Reconnecting the battery ............. 422
Jump starting ..................................... 423
Towing the vehicle ............................. 425
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 426
Fuses ................................................. 428
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 429
Fuse box in trunk.......................... 429
Technical data................................. 431
Parts service ...................................... 432
Warranty coverage............................. 433
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 433
Identification labels ........................... 434
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 436
CLS 550 ....................................... 436
CLS 63 AMG ................................ 436
Engine................................................ 437
Rims and tires.................................... 438
Same size tires ............................. 439
Mixed size tires ............................ 441
MOExtended tires* ....................... 444
Spare wheel ................................. 445
Electrical system ............................... 447
Main dimensions and weights............ 448
Main dimensions .......................... 448
Weights ........................................ 448Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 449
Capacities .................................... 449
Engine oils ................................... 451
Engine oil additives ...................... 451
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 451
Brake fluid.................................... 451
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 452
Fuel requirements ........................ 452
Gasoline additives ........................ 453
Coolants ...................................... 453
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 456
Index................................................. 457
23 At a glance
Exterior view
Item
Page
1
Trunk
Unlocking
102
Opening and closing
112
Spare wheel
391
Vehicle tool kit
393
2
Rear lamps
404
3
Rear window, defrosting
193
4
Fuel filler flap
283
Fuel requirements
452
5
Doors
Locking and unlocking
102
Opening and closing
111
Item
Page
6
Towing eye bolt
393
Installing towing eye bolt
425
7
Rims and tires
Checking tire inflation
pressure
302
Flat tire
412
8
Front lamps
404
9
Hood, opening
286
Engine oil
287
Coolant
290
a
Windshield wipers
56
Wiper blades, replacing
410
Wiper blades, cleaning
337
Item
Page
b
Window, cleaning
337
c
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
212
d
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting
47
Auto-dimming
185
Parking position
187
e
Side marker lamps
404
27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
2
vESP
® warning lamp
343
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
141
5
lDistance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates with the
ignition on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
348
6
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
7
Coolant temperature indi-
cator with:•Coolant temperature
warning lamp
347
Item
Page
8
Tachometer with:1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
350
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
342
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator lamp
132
9
Main odometer with:
Selector lever position
51
Program mode
177
a
Clock with:
159
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
344
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
344
Item
Page
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA
only
345
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Cana-
da only
345
HCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale,
USA only
351
Low tire pressure
telltale, Canada only
351
b
Fuel display with:AFuel tank reserve
warning lamp
348
c
Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
139
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
138
Confirming new time
settings
159
58 Getting startedDrivingSingle wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 (
page 56) to
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 (
page 56) past the
resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 292).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the en-
gine. Allow engine and coolant to cool
off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 290).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
major assemblies
fuel system
engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
i
To prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with wind-
shield washer fluid every now and then even
when it is raining.
139 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature indicator
Resetting trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip odome-
ter display (
page 141).
If it is not displayed, press the è or
ÿ repeatedly until the trip odome-
ter appears.
Press and hold the reset button
(page 138) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer de-
notes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 347)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 374).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.
i
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).
!
Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warran-
ty.